Okay, WTH is going on with Liverpool? They're loaded with talent and they looked outstanding at the start of the season, but now they look kinda shaky. It just seems like they should be more formidable than this.

I've got a theory, and that theory is that Rafa juggles the lineup too damn much. How's that for incisive analysis?

Okay, WTH is going on with Liverpool? They're loaded with talent and they looked outstanding at the start of the season, but now they look kinda shaky. It just seems like they should be more formidable than this.

I've got a theory, and that theory is that Rafa juggles the lineup too damn much. How's that for incisive analysis?

What do you Liverpool guys think?

It's getting ridiculous. I want to throw my television set when I see Torres and Crouch on the field at the same time. Veronin and Kuyt should be the only two paired with Crouch. Other than that, not having Xabi Alonso really seems to be hurting. Without Passmaster, Gerard is having an awful time getting the ball forward (and Sissoko should only be used as a destroyer and never relied on for offense).

Rafa needs to slow down the rotation a bit. I would love to see more Babel and Veronin, and I would also like to see a lot less of the random ass midfielders like Yossi, Momo and Leto getting loads of time. Tottenham had no reason being in the game today (one spot out of relegation!!!) and yet Keane had the Spurs up in extra time. That is pathetic.

This is an understatement. When was the last time he fielded the same starting 11 two games in a row?

I remember years ago when Bob Boone was the KC Royals manager, he screwed around with the lineup so much that the KC Star started keping track of it for the amusement of their readers. A quick search revealed this quote:

"...Boone decided to retire after the season, but returned to the Royals in 1995 as the club's skipper. Constantly searching for the right mix, he showed an affinity for challenging players in new roles. (In 1996, the Kansas City Star charted Boone's daily lineup changes in a daily "Boone-O-Meter," which concluded that the manager had used 152 different batting orders in the Royals' 161 games.)..."

I think Boone got really stubborn about it and would screw with his lineup just to thumb his nose at the Star. I know Rafa is touchy about it too - do you think he's doing it now just to stick it to the Press? If they're not winning, at some point he's going to have a player revolt.

Getting back Riise, Agger, Mascherano and Alonso will really help the Reds, but I am wondering how long Crouch is going to get chances in the rotation. There are rumors that Alfonso Alves could be coming in January from the Netherlands. Unlike Crouch, Alves actually seems to know where to be when the ball comes in (that's why he scored seven goals last week against Heracles).

Getting back Riise, Agger, Mascherano and Alonso will really help the Reds, but I am wondering how long Crouch is going to get chances in the rotation. There are rumors that Alfonso Alves could be coming in January from the Netherlands. Unlike Crouch, Alves actually seems to know where to be when the ball comes in (that's why he scored seven goals last week against Heracles).

Yeah, well Rafa will be sure to play him in about 50% of the games, so that ought to hold his goalscoring down.

Chelsea has proven that the big signings are no guarantee of world domination. They're supposedly looking to land Kaka now for 100 million pounds. I guess the Sheva experiment was such a rousing success that they can't wait to do it again.

That was a complete and utter demolition by the Gunners. One of the most impressive Champions League performances I've seen.

Rangers' draw with Barca was also impressive. Barca was so demoralized by Rangers defense they quit attacking in stoppage, content with the draw. Celtic's loss to Benfica was disappointing but at least Adu got on the field for it.

Tottenham looks like utter rubbish in today's UEFA match. Word is Jol will be sacked as manager immediately following it.

Fantastic comeback for Liverpool. From one point in three matches to 10 points after six. A combined 16-1 score in the last three matches means Liverpool is in the knockout stage. The Reds have looked solid for the past few weeks, other than the lackluster performance at Reading this weekend.

I would love to see Liverpool outplay Man U, and then actually finish them off once and a while. That match Sunday was so one-sided, yet Tevez is the one with the goal. Liverpool held possession for 61% and out-shot Man U 20-5 and 7-3 on goal. AND THE MATCH WAS IN ANFIELD!!!

Liverpool is closer and closer to out of the race for the Premiership. It is about time to start gearing up for the Champion's League only again. Maybe the Reds can take home some of the tournament cups this year.

I would love to see Liverpool outplay Man U, and then actually finish them off once and a while. That match Sunday was so one-sided, yet Tevez is the one with the goal. Liverpool held possession for 61% and out-shot Man U 20-5 and 7-3 on goal. AND THE MATCH WAS IN ANFIELD!!!

Liverpool is closer and closer to out of the race for the Premiership. It is about time to start gearing up for the Champion's League only again. Maybe the Reds can take home some of the tournament cups this year.

Wow, I had no idea the Reds dominated like that. God, I hate United.

Big win for The Arsenal though. They've been looking shaky the last couple of weeks, so this was a great result.

As expected, Arsenal and Liverpool are paying for stumbling in the last round; they have drawn AC Milan and Inter, respectively.

ESPN is making a big deal out of Arsenal having to play AC Milan, but I would have to say that Milan is definitely the underdog in that one, judging by their current form. But Liverpool has their work cut out. You could certainly make the case that Inter is the best club in the world at this particular moment.

If I'm not mistaken, Inter have not lost in 3 months. They dropped a 1-0 decision at Fenerbahce in September. They later avenged this by beating Fenerbahce 3-0 at the San Siro.

Sounds formidable to me!

Should be fun to watch the Reds take them on.

yeah, but there is just something about Liverpool when it comes to knockout stages. The Reds can beat better teams almost at will in European play. Anfield is magical on European nights. If there is one dream of mine as a sports fan, it is to make a trip to Anfield and see Liverpool play in the knockout stage of the Champion's League. Just to sit in the Kop and sing YNWA, that would be awesome.

yeah, but there is just something about Liverpool when it comes to knockout stages. The Reds can beat better teams almost at will in European play. Anfield is magical on European nights. If there is one dream of mine as a sports fan, it is to make a trip to Anfield and see Liverpool play in the knockout stage of the Champion's League. Just to sit in the Kop and sing YNWA, that would be awesome.

There is no doubt, the Reds are consumate overachievers in Europe. The Liverpool team that won the Champion's League 3 or 4 years ago had no business in even being in the knockout stages.

And I am not a Liverpool fan, but I agree that the atmosphere at Anfield has to be the greatest in all of sports. I would love to attend a game there.

woo, Liverpool looked awful today. they were extremely lucky to pull out of Derby with three points. the other Merseysiders are looking pretty good right now against Bolton. Next up, a late affair between Portsmouth and Arsenal in Fratton Park.